Sync Hacks: 5 Awesome Ways to Use BitTorrent Sync

Sync Hacks is a column dedicated to exploring new applications for BitTorrent Sync, as built by users like you. BitTorrent Sync is a free, unlimited, secure file-syncing app. (And now, it’s 2X faster.) If you’ve got an epic Sync idea, use-case or how-to, shoot us an email at sync[at]bittorrent.com.

In this week’s Sync Hacks: Kevin Costain, a tech enthusiast, shares some of the ways you can leverage the speed, flexibility, and security of Sync to go beyond keeping files up to date across your devices. From password protection to large social experiments, Kevin shares five great ways you can take advantage of the power of Sync.

From Kevin Costain:

Bittorrent Sync is amazing in a number of ways. Because of its simplicity, it allows for uses far beyond what it advertises. The basic idea is to keep files synchronized between two or more devices – much like Dropbox – but without storing these files on a third party server. The advantage of keeping your files out of the cloud, and only on authorized device, is greater control over your data and faster file transfers. After beginning using Sync in April, I’ve discovered that Sync is great for a number of things, beyond keeping large files up to date across my devices. So, here’s 5 more ways you can use BitTorrent Sync:

1. Password Protection

Security is a big deal. With data breaches on the rise, people are more worried about their stuff than ever. So, how do you keep your passwords safe while keeping them accessible? Sync is, by nature, a secure service. Keep complicated passwords in a Sync folder, instead of entrusting them to the cloud. That way, you can access your passwords on the go, without putting your passwords in danger.

2. Private cloud backup

Setting up a large storage space (possibly Network Attached Storage) and using Sync to pull in files from all client locations as a central backup tool. Sync would be setup to watch live share folders and synchronize in a read-only pattern back to the NAS device.

3. Personal data multi backup

By placing Sync on every computer possible and designating a folder for your data, this might effectively distribute backups to multiple places and protect you from hardware failure. Use this scenario on all family member’s computers and create a multi-computer backup system that protects everyone’s data, all the time.

4. Sharing a collection

That awesome batch of sunset photos is growing and you’d like to show everyone that wants to see them. You don’t want to email each file out as you add them and want something more automatic. Share the folder’s Sync read-only key with friends (and on Twitter) and let anyone who’s interested keep up-to-date as you add new content. Plus, no storage limitations. Share as many hi-res photos as you want.

5. Creating a dead drop

I can’t recall where I saw this, but the idea that a location would be available to anyone to add or remove anything in public is a really compelling social experiment. Create a Sync folder, distribute the key openly, and see where it goes! I would expect to see more of this (and various public shares of data) more often in the future.

Kevin Costain is a Torontonian, small business owner and technology enthusiast. He blogs regularly at http://cwl.cc